Youthful invasion healthy for grizzled Truck Series

When I looked at the Craftsman Truck Series entry list this weekend for Martinsville Speedway, I couldn't help but think of Scooby-Doo.

At the end of every cartoon, the old crotchety man curses the young detectives (Shaggy, Velma, etc.) for foiling his evil plan: "If it weren't for those meddling kids ..."

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I wondered if the group of Truck drivers well into their 40s, and a couple now 50, ever ponder the same thought. How do they feel about the youthful invasion of their traditionally seasoned Truck Series?

For some reason, I'm flashing back to Kyle Busch in his Billy Ballew Motorsports truck at the season opener in Daytona ...

Regardless of their opinions, the landscape is definitely changing as no less than 14 drivers all under the age of 30 will compete for real estate alongside several rough-and-tumble veteran wheelmen.

Among the so-called youth movement is Colin Braun at age 19, and following him is Chrissy Wallace, also 19, attempting to make her NASCAR debut. A dozen or so other drivers all under 30 round out the group dubbed the 2008 20-something invasion which has placed three drivers under 30 in the top 10 in points.

With that in mind, does the phrase 'respect your elders' apply in racing? Cup veteran Tony Stewart would certainly say yes. He's given the respect speech more than Aretha Franklin herself.

I digress.

Braun, a Roush Fenway Racing rookie and a respectful young man no doubt, said he is eager to learn from his senior counterparts and feels it is a unique opportunity.

"The Truck Series gives us rookies a chance to learn from the veterans and race against some of the most talented drivers in NASCAR," he said. "I have some great mentors in the series."

Everything is cyclical in NASCAR, yes. But this youthful invasion deserves some attention, because it reminds us that the Truck Series is the best place to start in NASCAR competition.

Being the first step on the national ladder, the Craftsman Truck Series gives young drivers the opportunity to gain traction in his or her career. It's the first series with heavier cars and the same type of horsepower and tires that the driver will find in the Cup and Nationwide series. Here, drivers also find opportunities to be exposed to owners in the other two garages.

More importantly, the Truck Series is a good measuring stick for rookies like Braun or Justin Marks competing among established drivers. Running and even finishing in the top 10 with Todd Bodine, Mike Skinner, Rick Crawford and Johnny Benson can be a real testament of their talent. (Continued)